Who's who at the Children's Advocacy Center of Bristol County

A profile of staff members at the Children's Advocacy Center of Bristol County, which handles child sexual abuse cases in the Greater Taunton and Fall River regions.

Herald News Staff

A profile of staff members at the Children's Advocacy Center of Bristol County, which handles child sexual abuse cases in Greater Fall River.

Michelle Loranger

Executive director

“I joke that I do janitorial work and board development and everything in between,” Loranger said.

As executive director, she is responsible for the day-to-day operations, strategic vision, program development, keeping the CAC’s governance board informed, and chairing an advisory committee made up of partner agencies like the police departments and DCF to talk about training needs, service delivery and more. A self-described “social worker by trade,” she’s also very involved in the direct services. She’s been in the field of child welfare for 26 years, having worked previously for DSS and St. Vincent’s Home. She was hired as executive director of the CAC in March 2007, and they opened their doors in July 2007.

Denny Zemba

Program coordinator

“He has had three title changes, which I think is indicative of the evolution and needs of the organization,” Loranger said. “He does everything. He provides support for kids and families if staffing requires it. He writes grants.” He is responsible for the internal and external case review process. “We keep our hands on the back of cases to make sure nothing falls between the cracks — he chairs the process,” Loranger explained. Zemba is also in charge of their computer tracking program. He does a lot of the IT work, and does a lot of protocol and policy development. He is working with Loranger on the accreditation process.

Cory Costa

Mental health services coordinator

She was hired in January 2013 because of an increased appropriation from the state. “She has taken our ability to connect kids and families with mental health services to the next level,” Loranger said. Costa stays connected with mental health service providers, and has also taken the lead on two mental health capacity building trainings the CAC put on last year — events set up to help train the providers in the specifics of treating child abuse victims and their families.

Sue Lachapelle

Administrative assistant

She provides reception and administrative support, as well as some monitoring and playing with kids and supporting families.

Vangy Auclair

Development manager

She is responsible for fundraising, as well as grant research and grant writing.

Dolly Falcone

She works for Citizens for Citizens as part of its senior aid program. “We have three agencies that fund positions at the CAC, yet nobody could tell that we’re not one staff team, that people are collecting a paycheck from someone different,” Loranger said. “We are the poster child for collaboration.”

Falcone’s primary role is to support the families when they present to the CAC. When the parents are in a meeting or a debriefing, Falcone is coloring, playing Chutes and Ladders or doing puzzles with the child. She’s the one getting them snack if they are hungry. She also performs receptionist and secretarial duties, if needed. “She’s the grandmother that everyone wants,” Loranger said.

Mildrine Tulysse

Pediatric sexual assault nurse examiner

She is an employee of the Department of Public Health. Her role is to provide health education, health consultation, as well as a physical exam or forensic evidence collection when it’s indicated that a child has been the victim of sexual abuse. She also does some outreach with pediatricians on behalf the kids and families, if there is follow-up testing that has to be done. “It’s a non-invasive exam of the private body parts,” said Loranger, adding that the Massachsuetts Pedi-SANE program has a “do-no-harm” policy, so no blood is drawn (HIV testing, etc., would be referred to the child’s pediatrician). All exams are external only.

Kayla Carota

Child forensic interviewer

She’s an employee of the DA’s office. “She spent two years as an intern at the CAC on the Cape, so she is well-versed in service delivery,” Loranger said. Carota was formally trained in Minnesota, and has a degree in forensic psychology.

Jessica Costagin

Child forensic interviewer

She is also an employee of the DA’s office. Formerly, she was a police officer in North Carolina.

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